big ideas about the very small

Chapter 5, Lesson 5 Multimedia

All Four Crystals

Epsom salt is an ionic compound. There is a positive magnesium ion (Mg2+) and a negative sulfate ion (SO42−). Polar water interacts with these oppositely charged ions to dissolve the Epsom salt.

MSG is made of a positive sodium ion (Na+) and a negative glutamate ion, which has the molecular formula (C5H8NO4−). Polar water interacts with these oppositely charged ions to dissolve the MSG.

Salt—sodium chloride is an ionic compound. There is a positive sodium ion (Na+) and a negative chloride ion (Cl−). Polar water interacts with these oppositely charged ions to dissolve the salt.

Sucrose is not an ionic compound. Sucrose has many O–H bonds, which give it positive and negative polar areas. These areas attract other sucrose molecules and hold them together in a crystal. These polar areas interact with water and cause entire sucrose molecules to separate from one another and dissolve.